"Of course, I can help you navigate this maze of a tower! It can be quite overwhelming at first." Mantis smiled warmly, her empathic abilities already sensing the other's unease. "You're not alone in feeling lost here. Many of us felt the same when we first arrived. But don't worry, you'll find your way around in no time. Where are you trying to get to?"
anna marie was used to being around big groups of people , at least other mutants , but joining a new superhero team has her feeling all sorts of uneasy . avengers hq was completely different to xavier's mansion , she's already lost after wandering the corridors for so long . so she's grateful when she turns the corner and is greeted by a fairly familiar face .
" hey , y'all got a big place here . wont'cha help a girl out ? "
Mantis tilted her head in confusion, her large eyes fixed on the floor while she processed Klara's explanation. "Ah, I see... Metaphorical expressions can be perplexing. The intricacies of Earth's languages continue to elude me," she admitted with a laugh, her expression reflecting a mix of curiosity and bemusement. "But congratulations on the revelation of your impending parenthood! I sense a complex array of emotions within you, and it's truly fascinating. If you ever need assistance, I am here to help in any way I can." Mantis extended her hand, offering a warm and reassuring smile.
Admittedly, Klara should have known that using the phrase cat's out of the bag in reference to everyone now knowing about her pregnancy would be a problem for an alien that's been on Earth for maybe three weeks. After all, there were still some phrases that frazzled her own mind. "No, no don't worry! There are no cats in bags involved!" she shook her head. "It just means that a secret's out. I'm not sure why Midgardians use that phrase but I can't really judge," she chuckled.
@guardianmantisx @darcylewisx @frostqueenhelax @micahrambeaux
symbol meme under the cut. remember to send some if you reblog. please only engage with this post if you're a member of variance hq.
πΈ our muses go flower picking together
π§Ό for my muse helps yours do spring cleaning
π΄ββοΈ our muses go on a bike ride
π¦ our muses get ice cream
π± for our muses to plant a garden together
π· for our muses go on a picnic in the park
πΆββοΈ for our muses take a leisurely stroll through a garden
ποΈ for our muses to go on a nature hike together
π‘ for our muses to go to an amusement park
π―οΈfor our muses to go on a date
π΅οΈββοΈ for our muses to unravel a mystery together
π for my muse comforts yours after a heartbreak
π° for our muses to embark on a dangerous quest
πΈ for our muses embark on an intergalactic adventure
βοΈ for our muses to team up with each other
π for my character to help yours master their superpowers
πͺ for our muses to train together
πΈοΈ for our muses to patrol the city
π§ββοΈ for our characters to navigate themselves through mystical realms
π€ for our muses to face off against a horde of robotic foes
π for one of our characters/both to disguises themselves on a mission
ποΈ for one of or characters to have legal issues
π for one or both of our characters to grapple with past actions
π for my muse to catch yours in a shady situation
π for a happy starter
π€¬ for an angry starter
π for a sad starter
π₯° for a fluffy starter
π for an angsty starter
π€ for my muse to comfort yours
π for your muse to comfort mine
π₯ for an early morning starter
π¦ for a late night starter
π» for a scared starter
π’ to start a fight with my muse
π for a jealous starter
Mantis cocked her head to the side, her antennae twitching with curiosity. Her large, dark eyes sparkled with interest as she considered Ella's invitation. "It sounds like it could be quite amusing," she replied, her slender fingers twirling the stick of the spinner. "Maybe we can play this another time, and for now maybe you can show me other games and things people do to pass the time?" From her observations so far, it seemed as though humans never ran out of ways to keep entertained.
Ella smiled at that, enjoying to know that different species had things in common. "Yeah! That's totally a part of the fun- wondering when someone's gonna fall over!" She was glad that Mantis seemed to understand. "I mostly only know humans so I can't really speak on other species but it's cool how that can be funny for everyone. Do you think you want to try playing or maybe another time?"
As Johnny approached, she hesitated for a moment before tentatively extending her hand towards him. "The park sounds nice," she agreed, her tone soft and uncertain. "But what if I'm not fine?" Her antennae twitched with uncertainty as she followed him, hoping for reassurance in the midst of her newfound doubt.
"Well, that was a lie." Johnny gave her a knowing look and left the door so he could walk over to her. He made grabby hands towards her. "Come on. Let's go to the park or something. Get you some fresh, not Stark-owned air." He smirked. "You'll be fine."
Mantis felt a warmth spread through her as Johnny wrapped his arm around her, the comfort of his presence grounding her. She let out a soft, contented sigh, leaning into him. "Thank you for sharing that with me," she said quietly, her antennae twitching gently as she spoke. "It's comforting to know I'm not alone in feeling this way. I didn't have a family for a long time, and it's still strange to think of the Avengers as my family, but I'm grateful for everyone in the tower." She turned her head slightly to look up at him, her eyes bright with sincerity. "If you ever feel like it's too much, you can always talk to me. Okay?"
"I get it. I was speaking from experience. I do, too." He looked up to see her already looking at him and smiled, shifting when she put her head on his shoulder so he could move his arm around her. "That was weirdly insightful this early in the morning while eating donuts," Johnny teased, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "I'm glad you feel like that, though," he continued, a moment later. "I know it's hard for a lot of people. It was for me." He dropped his head to the side, resting against hers. "Still is sometimes and I have my dad and stepdad here."
With a serene expression, she joined Peyton on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest while she contemplated the advice Peyton had given. "You make a point," Mantis said softly, thinking about how much of her life had already been dictated by a man. She had vowed as part of her experience here that she would do what she wanted. "I do really like their donuts... especially their cheesecake donut. I have no clue where'd I'd find something like it." Her focus shifted to the cats and their discarded leashes. "Did you want me to calm them down for you?"
Peyton made a scrunched up face -- both in distaste at the whole catcalling situation and her actual cats who decided to mutiny against her apparently. She gave up on the cat leashes and looked up at her friend. "Or," she said, sitting crosslegged on the floor. "You could keep going to your favorite donut spot and ignore them. Give them like a big screw you." She shook her head, "Babycakes, if you let gross guys dictate where you go in life, you'll literally never go anywhere."
Mantis fought the urge to look back to see who could be trailing them, not wanting to escalate the situation if she could avoid it. "Do you recognize them at all?" She questioned, looking for an escape route. "We should be able to turn up ahead, maybe we can shake them on that street."
"Someone's following us. We need to lose them."
Mantis had gathered that the whistles and cheers from a bunch of construction workers while she was out for her walk earlier wasn't entirely meant as a friendly greeting although it seemed positive, and Peyton's reaction to the story only proved her assumption right. Still, she shook her head, although she appreciated the offer. "No, it's okay, but thank you. But that was what you call 'catcalling,' yes? I haven't experienced it yet... Can't say I enjoyed it."
βWait, they said whatΒ to you?β Peyton asked, pulling a face.Β βDo you want me to take care of it?β
She tilted her head, her large eyes blinking in contemplation. "Oh, fostering," Mantis repeated, while absentmindedly petting Luna. The pup was content in her lap, her head flopped to the side so her tongue was hanging out of her mouth. Mantis was glad that Johnny had brought them in, they were quite amusing. "That sounds like a good plan, even if it would be hard to say goodbye to them when they get adopted." Giving the dog one last scratch behind the ear, Mantis looked back at Johnny. "Think we should take this play date to the park?"
"Yeah, of course." He smiled at her and nodded. Johnny moved so Noelle could curl up on his lap. "I get that. It's like having a fluffy toddler around," he smirked, ruffling the puppy's hair, looking up at Mantis. "There's a thing called fostering, though. It's when dogs at the shelter need a home, but they stay with foster families while they wait to be adopted. So that way you could get the feel for having one, but it's not permanent. You can try it out."